Stick dispensing machine



R. F. ANDERSON s'rIcK DISPENSING MACHINE July 14, 1953 am A ril 1949 y 14, 1953 R. F. ANDERSON 0 2,645,393

sncx uxsrsnsmc meal-m Filed April 8, 1949 4 4 sneet snm 2 ATTYS.

Patented July 14, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1 2,645,398 r STICK DISPENSING. Ralph' E. Anderson, Rockford; 11].

Application April-8, 1949', Serial No. 86154 This invention relates to dispensers and more particularly to dispensers for confectionery sticks. 7

An object of the present invention'is the-provision of a dispenser having increased capacity-1 Another object of the invention is-the provision of a dispenser of the above character having novel means" for controllingthe actuation of the stick feeders. l

Another object of the invention is the provision of a dispen'serof the above character having novel means for controlling the stickfeeders' in the event of jammingof'sticks in the feeders. Another object of the invention is to provide a dispenser of the above character having' a plurality of rows of spaced stickieeders with novel means movable between preselected posi-- tions' adjacent the feeders capable; in each '-ofsaid positions; of guiding and holding sticks ejected from said feeders amanner to be readily received by a stick" holderi Another" object of the invention is the pro-- vision of" a dispenser'wherein "a" stick guidemeans is: mounted adjacent the" feeders for movement thereof between opposed positionstmefiect alihe-- ment' of alternate portions thereof 1 with the stick feeders and for" pivotal movement thereof about" an axis to an inoperative position for access to the stick feeders". p I

Another object of the. invention isto' provide a dispenserfhaving' a novel stifck guide means for retaining the sticksireceived' therein from" the stick feeders in' a position to be readily received by a stick holder;

Another object of the invention istheprovision" of a dispenser. having means to-prevent operation of the feeders unless the stick guide means properly alined with thesti'ckfeeders Other objects and advantages" of the" invention will become apparentfromthe'followingde tailed description taken inconne ction with theaccompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 isa fragmentaryperspective" view of a stick dispenser embodying' the present invention;

Fig; 2' is a fragmentarysectional view taken substantially on' the line 2*-2-of Figure' 1- show ing a stick guide support plate in one" loading wherein the remaining rows' of stick guides are in alinement with the feeders and have received -55 sticks therefrom Fig. 4 is afragmentary side elevational view of the dispenserwith portionsor the cabinet cut away to show construction details;

Fig. 5' isa' perspective view partlyin section showing the construction ofa jam release and push rod return switch;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line- 6--6' ofFig: 4;

Fig. '7 is a fragmentary rear elevational View showing the mounting for the-stick guide supa port plate andthe arrangement of a pre-posi-- ti'oning switch int'erconne'cted in the main circuit for preventing operation of thestick feeders until the plateisin a positioninalinement with thefeeders; 1

Figs. 8 and= 9 are-side sectional and end. views, respectively; showing; the details of construction of a stick guide and mounting on the support plate;

Figs; 10 and 1-1 show an alternate construction of astick guide and a mounting therefor;

Fig: 12- is'a wiring diag-rarn of an electric circuit used" for controllingthe solenoid valve; and Fig. 13 isa diagrammatic view of thesolenoid valve:

In" genera-l the dispenser comprises a plurality ofmagazines for retaining the sticks in side by sidestacked relation, stick feeder means associated witheach magazine to effect ejection of a: stick forwardly'from the magazine, means for'control-ling" the actuation of the stick feeders and means mounted adjacent the front of the feeders movable between opposed positions and capable in each position of receiving: and guiding the sticks ejected from the. magazine to a position in which they are held to be readily inserted in stick receiving apertures in a stick holder such as disclosed in United States Patent 2,232,196to Ra1ph Anderson, The various components of the dispenser: may be mounted on any suitable means such as a cabinet or housing mounted on an inclined plate 22 extending upwardly from an intermediate portion. of the top of the cabinet 2|, the stick-r feeding means is mounted on the plate- 22- inra position to effect ejection of'the'bottom sticks in the magazines and themovable stick supporterrmeans is mounted at the top of the cabinet'r 21 in front of the magazines.

Projecting forwardly of the plate 22 in substanti'all'y perpendicular relation are a plurality ofsupports forming a forward portion of the sticlefeeding means; each having the form shown in Figuresl, 2 and 4. These supports are arrangedin six spaced vertical-rows',neach;row con- Inthis embodiment the" magazines are i 3 sisti ng of four supports; These supports each consistof a bottom bar 24 which is suitably attached at its rear to the plate. as by a screw, not shown. The forward part of each bar is formed with a shoulder 2'! beyond which a bearing face 28 is disposed at an angle with respect to the remainder of the bar so that the face 28 is in a substantially horizontal position when the support is secured to the plate 22 as shown in Fig. 4. The face 28 is recessed intermediate its edges as shown at 30 in Figure l. Positioned on opposite sides of the bar 24 are upstanding fillets 29 which serve to maintain the sticks in vertical alinement on the bottom bar 24. The forward end of the bar is provided with a bridging member 3| having leg portions disposed on opposite sides of the bar and a portion 32 extending'across the back by a portion 38 and spaced apart to receive the sticks in a stacked relation. I'he side portions 36 and 31 are of substantially lesser width than the length of the sticks so that the sticks project from the forward edge of the magazine. As shown the extreme lower edges of the sides 36 and 31 are disposed on opposite sides of the bar 24. A pin received in a notch 39 on the top of the bar 24 serves to space the sides 33 and 3'! and to support the forward portion of the magazine on the bar 24. The notch 39 is spaced from the plate 22 so that the back portion 38 of the magazine rests on the plate 22. Adjacent the upper ends of the magazines is a bracket 41 mounted on the plate 22. The bracket is positioned so that the right hand magazine, as shown in Figure l, rests on the bracket, and each succeeding magazinerests on the adjacent magazine and are inclined in a conventional manner. As illustrated the magazines are supported solely by the bracket 4! and the bottom bar 24 associated with the bottom of each magazine. With this construction and arrangement of the magazines the forward end of each stick rests on the bearing face 28 in a position such that when the stick is moved forward it will pass through the feed opening defined by the member 32 and the bearing surface 28. may be easily removed from the dispenser and replaced which is advantageous insofar as servicing of the dispensing unit is concerned.

Projecting rearwardly from the plate 22 in substantially perpendicular relation thereto are spaced rods 42 and 43 (see Fig. 6). At one end the rods are formed with portions of reduced cross sectional area receivable in apertures 44 and 46 in the plate 22. At their opposite ends the rods 42 and 43 also have portions of reduced cross sectional area received in spaced apertures 41 and 48 in a bracket 49. Nuts 5| and 52 threaded on the ends of the rods secure them in rigid relation with the bracket 49. The rod 43 is longer than the rod 42 for a purpose to presently appear. The bracket 49 is mounted on an angle iron 53 extending between and supported by opposite sides 54 and 55 of the cabinet 2|. A feed plate 55 in substantial parallelism with the plate 22 is mounted on the rods 42 'and43 at the rear The magazines of the plate 22 for movement toward and away from the plate 22. Suitable bearing members retained in bosses 5'! and 58, rigid with the plate 56, embrace the rods as shown to slidably support the plate on the rods. By utilizing two bearings as shown the plate is not only positively guided in its movement toward and away from the plate but is also prevented from rotating or twisting. A bumper 59, in theform of a rubber washer, is mounted on the rod 43 between the end of the boss 58 and the bracket 49. The bumper 59 reduces shock on the parts when the feed plate 56 moves to its rearward position as shown in Fig; 6.

Attached to the forward side of the feed plate 55 is a plurality of push rods 6| as shown in Figs. 4 and 6, these rods being equal in number, i. e.,' six rows of four spaced rods, to the number of stick feeders and projecting through openings 62 in the plate 22. Lock nuts 60 on each push rod 9| abutting against opposite sides of the feed plate 56 secure the push rods in position on the plate. Each of these rods has a flattened upper face 63 (Figs. 4 and 6) terminating in a shoulder 64 which in turn joins a diagonal surface 66 terminating in an end 67. The shoulder 54 serves to engage the end of a stick and is substantially equivalent to or slightly less than the thickness of a stick so that when therods (H are pushed forward the shoulder 64 of each rod engages only a single stick. The shoulders 64 of all the rods are substantially in parallelism so that when the feed plate'59 occupies its rearmost position as shown in Fig. 6 each shoulder will be substantially flush'with' the forward sur-, face of the plate 22.

The feed plate 56 is operated by a fluid operated piston unit 68. Any conventional piston and valve unit, of which numerous are to be had in the open market, may be used for driving the feed plate. One commercial form suitable for the purpose is'showrl in Fig. 6 and includes a cylinderv 69 and a piston H. The piston unit is disposed rearwardly of the feed plate 56 and is supported on the bracket 49. One end portion of thecylinder G9 is of reduced cross sectional area and products through" an opening 19 in the bracket 49. A look nut 12 threaded on the portion of the cylinder extending through the bracket abuts against the bracket 49 and secures the piston unit in position' The piston]! is connected to an intermediateportion of the feed plate by a shaft 13 and lock nuts 14 threaded on the shaft 13 and disposed on opposite sides of the feed plate 56. The cylinder 69 is formed with passageways 16 and 11 in. communication with front and back ends respectively of a piston chamber 15.

A solenoid operated valve I8 mounted on the back end of the cylinder 69 controls the flow of pressure fluid to the passageways 16 and 11, respectively. The solenoid valve 18 may be of any conventional construction. For purposes of simplifying the drawings it is shown diagrammatically in Fig. 13 so that the flow paths of fluid through the valve may be readily visualized and includes a casing 8| having a chamber 82 formed therein,, ports 83 and 84 connected with the passageways'lG and 11, respectively, and a port 86 in communication with a suitable pressure fluid supply 81 as by a conduit 88. Disposed in the chamber 82 is a valve element 93 movable between opposed positions. At opposite ends of the casing 8| are spring biased valves 9i and 92 normally urged to closed positions and movable to an open position to effect communication between the. chamber 82. andlatmospherec upon en! gagement of the valveelement; 93with shaft'por. tionson the valves 9| and 92." inaeachof: the positions of thevalve element. 93; 'Ihevalve: ele-- ment 93 is moved by solenoid coils: 96 andfll.

When the coil 9 6 is: energized the 'valve element- 53 is moved to assume theposition shown. Fig. 13. In this. position the element 9.3010888 the opening in. the coil 96. shaped to. receive: axially extending projection: 05.. Thus pressure fluid flows from the port: 06 through; the: opening: in the coil 97, shaped to receive.- an axially: extend;-= ing. projection 90', to the port 84, to; the passage-' way 11 to the back end offthe; chamber: 1.5; and" pressure fluid on the: opposite. side! ofthe piston; is discharged from. the. front. end. of.the1. chamber 75 through the passageway" 1.6;. the. port 05: and the spring biased valve 92; theopening of. which. is controlled by the. valve: element 93'. Whenthe: coil 91 is. energized. the valveelement 95 moves; to assume a, position. at the right. of. that; showrn in Fig. 13 so thatthe element: 93 closes. the: open-.- ing in the coil 97. Thus pressure fluid may flow from the port 86 through theopening in. the coil 9fi-,.to the: port 83:... into the passageway-Mi toithei front end of the chamber 15 and the pressure: fluid on the opposite side of the. piston may be discharged from the back. end; of the: chamber through the passageway 1:1,. the port 84 and: the. spring biased valveport. 91?,the opening; of which- I is under the control of the valve; element 93-.

The coilsx90 and 91 are connected to a suitable source of power such as. shown in Fig. 1-2. Inthis. instance the power foruthe solenoid coils. issupplied from. the secondary of. a; transformer: disposed in a housing I00, the primary of which is connected to the main power supply; The coil 95 is connected acrossthe secondary of the: trans-- former IOI by a conductor [02 and a conductor I03. The coil 9'! is connected: to the secondary of the transformer 10! by a conductor M04 and.c0n.- ductor I03. 7

A normally open switch 106 controlling the for-- ward movement of the feed: plate. 56.- is. connected: in series with the conductor I02 tOrClOSQthB cir-- cult to the coil 96. This switch is. normally: mounted on the top of= thecabinet 2| at one side of the: magazines as showniinFignre 1'. Tolposis tion the. switch I06 so that it may be readily ac+ cessible by an operator of thedispenser, the:

switch is supported onthe: upper: end ofua conduit I01 rigid with the. top of the; cabinetldi. A. normally open switch.- l08- controlling: the reverse movement of the plate 56 is connected: in; series with the conductor [04. Ihe switch l08is mountedon the rear of the. plate. 22 as seen 6.. A bracket I09 attached tothe: feed plate; 56 is-positioned to engage the actuator of the switch. I08. when the plate 56 moves toitsextreme forward position. switch which effects energization of the coil? 91 to return the feed plate 56- and push rods-Bl to their retractedposition atttheconclusionofitheir' stick. ejecting or feeding movement. Anormallyopen switch I I I is als connectedin series in theconductor I02. This switch is: mounted on: the top of the cabinet 2| fora purpose torpresently appear.

Provision is made for manual operation of the 1 limit switch I08 to effect return of the; plate; 56.

in the event thatsticks jam in the stick feeders. The mechanism for this, see Figs. 5 and 6', com.- prises a rotatable shaft I [2. extending through a suitable bearing member H3 supported. by the side 55 of the cabinet. On'itsinnerend the shaft Thus the switch I.08'.forms a limit.

is formed with 9; depending tab H61 shaped. to engagea plunger H1. of. the: switch I08; On its outer end is; mounted a knob I M for. rotating the shaft H3 and forcing the tab H6. against. the plunger l I 1.. An. end portion [1.9 of the shaft H2, at right anglesto the main portion of. the shaft, rests on the top of the housing of the switch I08 and providesa positioning: means for the shaft l l2.

One phase of the" invention is concerned with novel means adjacent the front of the stick feeders capable of receiving the sticks ejected from. the feeders and guiding them toa position in which they are clear of the feeders and are readily receivable in the stick receiving apertures of aconventional stick holder. As shown in Figures 1, 2 and-4 the means in thisinstance comprises a stick supporter which includes. a plate I2! and a plurality of tubular members or stick guides. I22 mounted on the plate in alined rows, each'hav-ing a spring I23 associated there-- with toengagea stick and retain it in the tubular member so that an end portion thereof projects free of the tubular member I22. In this in- .stance there are twelve alined rows of stick guides each containing four spaced tubular members; Asshown in Fig. 8 each tubular mom ber I 22 is disposed in a snug fitting aperture [24 thestick guides are formed by tubes idl.

formed in the plate I21. lhe end of the aperture l-2'4 facing the stick feeders is flared as shown at 126 .At their outer ends the tubular members I2 2 taper to define an elongated horizontal. slot I21 capable-of permitting the passage of one of the sticks. The spring. I23 has one end disposed in an aperture I28 in the member [22 and bent back on itself to define anchor portions gripping the side wallof the tubular member I22 and an end projecting inwardly of the tubular member I22 through the aperture [2 9. Preferably the inwardly projecting and Hit 7 of the spring I23 terminates in an arched portion as shown in Fig. 8- Which normally extends above the centerline" of the tubularmember so that upon passage of a stick through the tubular 2 member the spring is biased: downwardly by the stick and theresiliency of the spring is such that the stick is held in the tubular member I22;

In Fig; 10 there is shown an alternative con struetion for the stick guides. In this instance The latter project through apertures 585 formed in a tube support plate l-32 At one end the tubes are flared outwardly as shown at H33 and at their opposite ends the tubes taper to define an elongated horizontally disposed slot 134-. Each of the tubes 'l 3l is formed with a slot i353 on one side. A coil spring member 137' is mountedto have a portion received in the slot I352 With this construction the stick is held in the tube I31 by engagement of the spring I37 with the side of the stick. To simplify the assembly the tubes 13! may be arranged as shown in Fig. 11 with the slots Hit of tubes in one row' in alinement and facing the slots in an" adjacent row.

; The springs l3-l may be made long enough to span two tubular members as shown" in Figure 1-1. Thus" with this construction adjacent spring members i3 1 may be mounted by a common mounting bracket I 38 secured to the plate I32 by a screw: i39 between the rows of tubes.

The stick guide support plate i52 is suitably mounted. for movement between opposed feed positions in front of the stick feeders.- The plate- FH has pivot brackets H at" oppositeedges' 3 thereof rotatably mounted on a horizontally dis feeders (see Figs. 2 and 3). To insure that the plate I2I is in its respective positions a cam I44 is mounted on the bottom of the plate to 1 actuate the switch II I connected in the circuit to the coil 96. Unless the plate I2! is in position to effect alinement of rows of stick guides with the stick feeders the circuit to the coil 96 isopen and the stick feeders cannot be operated. Thus, as shown in Fig. 7, the depending portion I46 of the cam M l engages the actuator I41 of the switch III when the plate is in its left hand position (solid line position) to close the switch III and the depending portion I48 on the opposite end of the cam I44 engages the actuator I41 in the other position of the plate I2I to close the switch Ill. The latter position of the parts is shown by dotted liner in Fig. '7. The plate E2I is also rotatable about the shaft I42 from a position in which it is in substantially parallelvrelation with the plate 22' as shown in Fig. 4 and a position in which it is out of the Way so that access to the stick feeders may be had. These positions of the plate are shown by the solid and dotted lines res ec- 8. Fig. 2 and 'insolidlines. in Fig. 7. Under these conditions the dependingportion I46 of the cam I44 engages-.the. actuator I41 to actuate the switch .III. .The operator then depresses the pushbutton on the switch I06 to momentarily energize thecoil 96. Energization of the latter causes the valve element 93 to move to a position (see Fig. 13). such that pressure fluid flows tively in Fig. 4. The plate I2I is normally held in a position parallel to the plate 22 by a latch means. In general the latch means includes a bracket portion I52 secured to the face plate 22 so as to project outwardly therefrom. On its outer end the bracket is formed with a portion I53 pivotally mounted as by a pin 54 on the end of the bracket I52 for movement between the full line position and the dotted line position shown in Fig. 4.. Projecting downwardly from the portion I53 are spaced rollers I56 suitably mounted on the portion I53 and shaped to engage opposite sides of a guide block I51 rigidly secured to the upper edge of the plate I2 I. The rollers I56 are spaced apart a sufficient distance to permit straddling of the guide block I51. This construction positively holds the upper edge of the plate I2I in fixed relation while at the same time permitting lateral movement thereof between the Opposed positions. plate I2I is in the dotted'line position as shown in Fig. 4, the pivot brackets I4I engage the shoulders I59 formed on the brackets S43 tosupport the plate, one shoulder only being engageable with the one pivot bracket I4I in each of the positions of the plate I2I. The latter is formed with spaced lower forwardly projecting lugs I6I and upper support members I62and I63 for the stick holder. The latter are spaced and arranged to provide a support and locating means for the stick holder adjacent the ends of the stick guides I22. The guide IE3 is adjustable to effect proper alinement of the stick holder on the plate I2 I.

The operation of the dispensing mechanism is readily apparent from the foregoing but may be briefly summarized as follows: The operator places the stick holder on the stick holder lugs I6I and guides I62 and I63 on the plate I2! with the stick holder and plate I2I occupying one of the preselected positions of the plate I24. For purposes of illustration assume that the plate l2I occupies the position on the right as shown in When the into. the passageway 11, to the back end of the chamber 15..and..pressure fluid on the opposite sideiofthe pistonis exhausted from the front endof the chamber. 15 through the passageway 16 and the valve 92 and the feed plate 56 and the:pu'sh..rods. 3|..moveforward. As a consequence the bottom stick of .each magazine is ejected andis directed into the tubular guides I22 directly. infront of the respective feeders. At the end of the forward movement of the plate 56, the bracket I09 effects actuation of the limit switch I08, whereupon the coil 91 is momentarily energized. Actuation of the coil 91 moves the valve element 93 to a position such that pressure fluid is directed through the passageway 18 to the back end of the chamber 15 and pressure fluid on the opposite side of the piston II is exhausted from the chamber 15 through the passageway 11 and valve BI. The feed plate then moves to its retracted position (see Fig. 6). There after the operator moves the stick guide support plate I2I from the position shown in Fig. 2 to the position shown in Fig. 3 and dotted line position in Fig. '1. The depending portion I43 engages the actuator I41 and closes the switch i II in the circuit to the coil 96. The push button on the switch I06 is again depressed to actuate the switch I06. The push rods GI move forwardly and eject the bottom sticks from the respective magazines as before and urge the same respectively into the alternate rows of the stick guides I22; The stick guides I22 are now filled with sticks, and are holding them in a. position to be readily received by the stick holder. The operator can grip the ends of the sticks projecting from the stick guides by manipulation of I suitable means on the stick holder. Thereafter the sticks may be withdrawn in unison from the stick guides I22 and carried to the molds or other desired location. It is to be understood that at the conclusion of the forward movement of the plate 55, the'bracket I09 actuates the switch I08 and effects return of the push rods GI to their retracted position as before.

With this construction the capacity of the stick holder may be doubled without increasing the number of stick feeders. capacity of the stick holder manual handling of the sticks between the dispenser in the molds is in effect halved.

It frequently happens that a stick is warped so badly that it cannot pass through the stick feeders or guides I22 and consequently causes ajamming of the parts. With this construction should the above happen, the operator can reverse the direction of movement of the push rods 6| by turning the knob II4. This operates the switch I08 and energizes the circuit to the coil 91 which controlsthe position of the valved element 93 which in turn directs pressure fluid to the piston unit to return the push rods 6! to their position shown in Fig. 6. means for the plate I2I and subsequently the plateIZI may be moved to the dotted line position shown in Fig. 4. In this position of the parts the stick feeders are readily accessible for service and maintenance purposes.

By doubling the The latch mun-sea I claim: .1. In "a stick i'dispenser, the combination of a plurality f IOWS of spaced :stick feeders, a stanate rows in alin'ementwith said 'rows 'of stick feeders in eac'h of -sa'id loading positions or the support toposition'and hold sticks ejected by the feeders for ready reception by=a stick holder.

2. Ina stick dispenser, the combination ofa plurality of rows-of spaced stick feeders, a stick supporter adjacent the front of said feeders, stick ejectin means for ejecting sticks from said feeders to a position in which they are clear of the feeders and-are retained in the supporter to have one end of the sticks projectbeyon'd the supporter to be grasped by a stick *holder, means for mounting said stick supporter for movement between opposed loading positions to aline alternate portions of said "supporter with said feeders, and means preventing the stick ejecting operation of said wstickgejecting means except when said stick supporter is positioned in one of said loading positions.

3. In a stick dispenser and the like, the combination of a plurality of alined rows of spaced stick feeders-for dispensing sticksya plate having a plurality of rows of apertures, stick guide means mounted in each of said apertures for receiving and holding the ejectedsticks in a-position to be pulled therefrom by a stick holder, and means mounting said plate for bodily movement angularly about an axis between a position in which the plate is disposed adjacent the ends of the feeders and a position in which the plate is remotely disposed with respect to the feeders to permit access thereto.

4. In a stick dispenser and the like, the combination of a plurality of alined rows of spaced stick feeders mounted on a support, a plate having a plurality of apertures, a stick guide means mounted in each of said apertures for receiving and holding the ejected sticks in a position to be simultaneously pulled therefrom by a stick holder, spaced brackets mounted on said support adjacent opposite ends of said plate,

a shaft supported at opposite ends by said brackets and pivot brackets each having a portion mounted on said shaft for rotational and axial sliding movement and a portion rigidly connected with the plate, said plate being free to move between opposed loading positions to aline alternate rows of the stick guide means with .the stick feeders and rotatable between a position in which the stick guide means are adjacent the stick feeders to receive sticks ejected therefrom and a position in which they are remotely disposed from the stick feeders to permit access to the latter.

5. In a dispenser having a stick feeder, the combination of a support, a stick guide comprising a tubular member mounted on said support having an end shaped to receive a stick fromsaid feeder and an end having a preshaped opening conforming to the cross sectional configuration of the sticks, said tubular member having a slot formed on one side, a coil spring having a portion :disposed in said'slot to engage the side ofx'a vsticksreceived in said tubular member and means for mounting :said coil spring on said support to 'permitfiexing of said portion upon .reception'of a stick in-said tubular member and to "bias said spring to hold the stick in said tubular member.-

6'..In a dispenser having a plurality of stick feeders, "the combination of a support, a pair of stick guides mounted on said-support each comprising-a tubular member having an end shaped .to receive 'sticksfrom said "feeders and an end having a ipreshaped'opening conforming to the cross sectional shape :of the sticks, said tubular members each having a sl'ot and positioned on said support to have 'the slots ion :the same side of "the "tubular :members, and spring means having a :portion disposed in each of said slots to engage the sides of sticks received therein, said portions being flexible upon engagement thereof by istic'ksto bias the latter to positively .lhol'd said sticks in the tubes, said spring means :also having a portion confinedlbetween said tubular members an'dthe support forzsecuring said spring means etc the support :and said portions in said. slots .respectively. l

7. In it stick dispenser and' the like, the combination :of a plurality 10f magazines for supporting the sticks, means including a push rod associated with each "magazine for ejecting sticks therefrom, fa feed plate for mounting said .push rods movable between positions inwhich'the push rods are in a retracted position with respect to the magazines andianradvanced position iniwhich sticks "are dispensed from the magazines by the rods, a pressure fiuid :piston 'unit for moving said plate between said. positions, 'valve means between the pressure fiuid :piston-Lunit andra source of pressure fluid for selectively controlling the flow of pressure sflllid to said pressure fluid ,piston unit and means operated in response to movement of said feed plate and rods to said advanced position for actuating said valve means to return the feed plate to retracted position.

8. In a stick dispenser and the like, the combination of a plurality of rows of stick feeders including a feed plate movable between a first and a second position, a pressure fluid unit including a cylinder and a piston reciprocably disposed in the cylinder to effect the above movement of the plate, solenoid valve means including a first solenoid coil for controlling the flow of pressure fluid to one end of the cylinder and a second solenoid coil for controlling the fiow of pressure fluid to the opposite end of the cylinder, a first electric circuit for connecting said first solenoid coil to a source of power, a first switch connected in said first circuit for controlling the energization of said first solenoid coil to effect movement of the plate from said first to the second position, a second electric circuit for connecting said second solenoid coil' to a source of power, a second switch connected in said 11 10. In a stick dispenser and the like, the combination of a plurality of stick feeders including push rods movable between a first and a second position to effect ejection of said sticks from the feeders, power operated-means for moving said push rods between said positions, manual means controlling the power operated means to initiate movement of the push rods from the first to I the second position, means for controlling the power operated means to initiate return of the push rods from the second to the first position in response to movement of the push rods into the second position, and manual means operable to controlthe power operated means to effect return of the push rods from an intermediate position to the first position. i

11. In a stick dispenser, the combination of a plurality of rows of spaced stick feeders, each including a magazine for retaining sticks and means for ejecting the sticks from the magazines to a position in which they are spaced from the magazine, and a stick supporter adjacent said feeders shaped to receive and guide said sticks as they are ejected from the feeders to a position in which portions of the stick project beyond the supporter for reception by a stick holder, said supporter being mounted for axial movement between opposed loading positions to aline different portions of the supporter with the feeders and being pivotally mounted for movementlbetween a position in which the supporter is adjacent the stick feeders and a position in which the supporter is remote from the stick feeders to permit access to the stick feeders.

12. In a stick dispenser and the like, the combination of a plurality of stick feeders including push rods movable between retracted and extended positions to effect ejection of said sticks from the feeders, power operated means for moving said push rods between said positions, opera.-

tor-controlled means controlling the power operated means to initiate movement of the push rods from the retracted to the extended position, and operator-controlled means operable to control the power operated means to effect return of the push rods tothe retracted-position from an intermediate position between said retracted and extended positions. i

13. In a stick dispenser and the like, the combination of a plurality of stick feeders including ejectors movable'between retracted and extended positions for ejecting the sticks from the feeders,

power operated means for moving said ejectors between said positions, operator-controlled means controlling the power operated means to initiate forward movement of the ejectors from the retracted to the extended position, said power op.

erated means upon forward movement of the ejectors to the extended position automatically returning said ejectors from the extended to the retracted position, and operator-controlled means controlling said power operated means to return the ejectors to the retracted position when the ejectors in moving forward stop at an intermediate position between the retracted and extended positions.

RALPH F. ANDERSON. 

